This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth:
LEVITICUS 11:46KJVWhat does Leviticus 11:46 mean?
Leviticus 11:46 sums up the rules God gave to Israel about which animals are considered clean or unclean, covering land animals, birds, creatures that live in water, and those that crawl on the ground. This verse serves as a summary statement, marking the end of a detailed section on dietary laws.
In this passage, God is speaking to Moses and Aaron, who are then to teach these laws to the Israelites. The context is a list of instructions about what animals the people can eat and which ones they must avoid, as part of living as God’s holy people. Leviticus 11:46 acts like a heading or conclusion, reminding the reader that all these creatures—beasts, birds, water creatures, and crawling things—are included in the law just described.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 11:46
- "law" (תּוֹרָה, torah): This word means instruction or teaching, not just a legal rule. Here, it highlights that these dietary guidelines are part of God’s broader instruction for living.
- "beasts" (בְּהֵמָה, behemah): This refers to large land animals, especially those that might be used for food or work, showing that the laws cover familiar, everyday animals.
- "fowl" (עוֹף, ‘oph): This word refers to birds in general, not just domesticated ones, so the laws include all types of birds.
- "creature" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): Often translated as "soul" or "life," here it means living being, emphasizing that the laws are about living things, not just categories of animals.
- "moveth" (שָׁרַץ, sharats): This word describes creatures that swarm or move in great numbers, like fish or insects, showing the law’s reach even to small, numerous animals.
- "creepeth" (שָׁרַץ, sharats): Used again for crawling creatures, this word covers insects, reptiles, and other small ground-dwellers, showing the detail and thoroughness of the law.
Why Leviticus 11:46 matters
- Leviticus 11:46 helps the reader see that the dietary laws are not just about a few animals but cover every kind of living creature the Israelites might encounter.
- This verse clarifies that the instructions are not random but organized and comprehensive, showing God’s care for every detail of Israel’s daily life.
- By summarizing the categories, Leviticus 11:46 connects the specific rules to the larger theme of holiness and separation that runs through Leviticus.